Police arrested three men and seized 10 unlicensed firearms after highway patrol officers stopped three illegally parked vehicles in Barangay Poblacion 5, Midsayap, Cotabato on September 1, 2026, the Philippine National Police said in a statement.
The operation was carried out by the Special Operations Team of Regional Highway Patrol Unit 12, working alongside personnel of the Midsayap Municipal Police Station, during a routine anti-carnapping patrol.
Illegally Parked Vehicles Lead to Discovery
Officers initially approached the three vehicles — a white Mitsubishi Montero, a gray Toyota Hilux, and a white Nissan Navara — to issue citation tickets for obstructing traffic, according to the PNP.
As officers drew near, they allegedly spotted a pistol placed in the open beside the gear shift of one of the vehicles. When they asked the driver to produce documents covering the firearm, the driver allegedly could not do so. Police then apprehended all three male occupants and secured the vehicles for further investigation.
Suspects Traced to Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area
The three arrested drivers are 31, 28, and 22 years old. All are residents of Nabalawag, a municipality located in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to the PNP.
The two older suspects are from Barangay Kadigasan and the youngest is from Barangay Kadingilan, both within Nabalawag. The municipality is one of eight created in the SGA following the April 2024 plebiscite, formed from barangays previously under Midsayap and Aleosan in North Cotabato.
Arsenal Found Across Three Vehicles
A thorough search of the three vehicles yielded a total of 10 unlicensed firearms, the PNP said. The weapons recovered were:
- Four Cal. .45 Colt pistols
- Three Cal. .45 Armscor pistols
- One Cal. .45 Infinity Firearms GPTX USA pistol
- One Cal. .45 Remington pistol
- One Elisco M16A1 rifle
- One Cal. 5.56 Remington Arms rifle
Several magazines and assorted ammunition were also seized, along with the three vehicles themselves, which remain secured as authorities complete documentation, ballistic examination, and verification ahead of legal proceedings.
Charges Filed Under Firearm Law and Revised Penal Code
The three suspects face proceedings for alleged violations of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code — which covers resistance and disobedience to agents of authority — and Republic Act No. 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, according to the PNP.
Legal proceedings are pending completion of documentation and ballistic testing on the recovered firearms and ammunition.
PNP Chief Cites Vigilance as Force Multiplier
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the outcome underscored the importance of alertness during what may appear to be ordinary police work.
"Our personnel must remain alert even during routine patrols because seemingly ordinary encounters can reveal serious threats. This operation demonstrates the importance of vigilance, sound judgment, and decisive police action in keeping our communities safe," Nartatez said.
The PNP chief added that seizing illegal firearms is a critical step in preventing crime and protecting communities, and warned that anyone violating the rules on firearm ownership and carrying will be held liable.
Operation Tied to PNP's Enhanced Police Operations Agenda
The PNP said the Midsayap operation supports its Focused Agenda, specifically the Enhanced Managing Police Operations component, which prioritizes proactive enforcement against threats to public safety.
The highway patrol unit's anti-carnapping mission — considered a routine deployment — led directly to the discovery of what police described as a significant cache of unlicensed weapons across three private vehicles traveling together.
By the Numbers
- 10 — total unlicensed firearms recovered
- 3 — suspects arrested, ages 31, 28, and 22
- 3 — vehicles seized (Mitsubishi Montero, Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara)
- 2 — laws the suspects are charged under (Article 151 RPC; RA 10591)
- 8 — municipalities created in the SGA following the April 2024 plebiscite
Why This Matters
The seizure of 10 unlicensed firearms — including a military-grade M16A1 rifle — from three vehicles during a routine traffic stop highlights the threat that illegal weapons pose along Philippine highways. The PNP said the operation directly supports its mandate to proactively remove illegal firearms from circulation as a crime prevention measure. PNP Chief Nartatez used the incident to reinforce a standing directive that officers must treat even ordinary patrol encounters with full vigilance.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of PNP Public Information Office